2019 Turbo Levo Owners Thread

[Doomanic]

Ok I am to the shop tomorrow (could not get down in the week)going for expert but am tempted to pull the trigger on an S works?

Tart!

 

[Sophie777]

Here's my thoughts on the 2019 Levo Comp Carbon
2019 Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Carbon

Thanks for your review.
Similarly to other reviews I've read, you say "As with the 1.3 it's important to keep the pedals moving when going up difficult climbs, if you stop pedal to regain balance or alter the position on the bike , the motor will disengage and it will be a hard task to get it going again. The pedals needs a bit of motion before the motor kicks in, and in some situations the hill is so steep that it's hard to move the pedals at all."

Do you have any experience with the Shimano E-8000?
Some say that motor starts more easily on hills, and doesn't disengage so quickly when on a hill you have to stop pedaling for a moment.

 

[Paul Mac]

I've got to admit, I don't recognise this trait with the motor taking time to engage.
I've got a 2018 Levo and it's instant, I've never had it where I'm waiting for the power to come on?
What I am interested in though is the sizing, I'm 5'09" and currently ride a size large, but have shortened the stem to 45mm.
By the sounds of it I should now be considering a medium in the 2019 model, does this sound about right for my height?

 

[Gary]

Do you have any experience with the Shimano E-8000?
Some say that motor starts more easily on hills, and doesn't disengage so quickly when on a hill you have to stop pedaling for a moment.

E8000 motor assists straight away on hills and over runs slightly before easing off when you stop pedalling rather than cuting out suddenly

 

[rmh1009]

Here's my thoughts on the 2019 Levo Comp Carbon
2019 Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Carbon

Good balanced review mate. Good that it points out the Levo is a great bike but also that other ebikes like the Pivot etc can also be great bikes.

 

[bigborett]

Bigborett, If you can Please send a close up Pic, Thanks

I'll grab one this afternoon for you.

 

[Sophie777]

E8000 motor assists straight away on hills and over runs slightly before easing off when you stop pedalling rather than cuting out suddenly

Thanks so much for your response!
So would you think if I am most worried about hills, probably the Shimano motor would be a better choice for me?

 

[galaga187]

Here's my thoughts on the 2019 Levo Comp Carbon
2019 Specialized Turbo Levo Comp Carbon

I'm 5' 10" and was a L in the 2018 levo - would I definitely be a Medium in the 2019 ?

 

[Gary]

I'm not really sure what you're worried about @Sophie777 . I've ridden mine up hills plenty times while switched off. Being in the right gear is more important than how fast the motor picks up.
They'e just heavy bikes with a motor assist. Switch it off and you're simply left with a heavy bike. Low gears get heavy bikes up hill fine. just a bit slower than a light one.

There are some really good comparisons between the motors online, read up on the differences, narrow down which ones you like the sound of then test ride each one to see how you like them.
I narrowed my choices down to two motors from what I read and didn't even bother test riding a single Ebike before purchasing mine.

Reading this: What's the best E-MTB motor? Bosch, Shimano, Yamaha, Brose, Panasonic | E-MOUNTAINBIKE Magazine
is a good place to start.

I should probably add. Once I'd narrowed down my choice to the two motors I liked the characteristics of I didn't buy my bike based on the motor. I based my choice first on geometry and intended use, and next my preference of suspension travel/kinematics

 

[ccrdave]

This one is fairly quiet for about 70% of the range, but theres a definite point in mine where the cadence / support level, especially up a hill, drives the noise levels higher.

For what its worth my old 1.3 motor was silent but down on power. When Chris fitted the new motor there was loads more power but also a lot more noise especially when pushed with a high cadence

 

[Brezza]

A quick blast on the new 2019 this morning around the Royal National Park south of Sydney. This bike has to be ridden to be believed. It’s incredible.

 

[Brezza]

A quick blast on the new 2019 this morning around the Royal National Park south of Sydney. This bike has to be risen to be believed. It’s incredible.

View attachment 5415

A few observations, the bottle cage and in particular the bottle impacts on the rear shock lever. No real big deal just difficult to get the bottle out. I didn’t opt for the electronic display but I will pick it up in hindsight as the battery level in the app is not the same as the led indicator on the top stem. Apart from that no complaints at all. It fantastic.

 

[Brezza]

I

I'm 5' 10" and was a L in the 2018 levo - would I definitely be a Medium in the 2019 ?

I was an L on a Levo and now have a 2019 L. It’s perfect. I’m 5’11”

 

[GunnyAmp]

Placed my order for a base model Hyper / Black today. What seat dropper should I order?

 

[Doomanic]

Brand-X from CRC for value, Fox Kashima Transfer post for bling.

 

[Gary]

@Sophie777
this video might help answer your worries too

 

[Jeff McD]

Thanks for your review.
Similarly to other reviews I've read, you say "As with the 1.3 it's important to keep the pedals moving when going up difficult climbs, if you stop pedal to regain balance or alter the position on the bike , the motor will disengage and it will be a hard task to get it going again. The pedals needs a bit of motion before the motor kicks in, and in some situations the hill is so steep that it's hard to move the pedals at all."

Do you have any experience with the Shimano E-8000?
Some say that motor starts more easily on hills, and doesn't disengage so quickly when on a hill you have to stop pedaling for a moment.

Here's your definitive answer, Sophie. From the bikeradar.com review which you can Google:

"Another motor tune in the Mission Control app is how quickly the motor engages when you start pedalling, which is adjustable from instant engagement to a small delay."

 

[stig3824]

First ride. Climbed hills I'd never get up on an analog bike.

 

[GunnyAmp]

Brand-X from CRC for value, Fox Kashima Transfer post for bling.

Will I be able to route the cabling internal to the frame like the higher priced models?

 

[Cho Cyril]

Will I be able to route the cabling internal to the frame like the higher priced models?

Yes you can, cable way is in the sidearm (alloy and carbon) then you need to make a buckle above the motor and go straight in the seat tube after that. I will post a picture later.

edit:

View media item 583

 

[knut7]

I'm 5' 10" and was a L in the 2018 levo - would I definitely be a Medium in the 2019 ?

I don't think so. I agree that you/we definitely used to be L. I Haven't tried the new L, but I think we now can use both. And I think the ridping position will be quite different between the two. I usually size down on emtbs so I was quite happy with the M.

 

[knut7]

I've got to admit, I don't recognise this trait with the motor taking time to engage.
I've got a 2018 Levo and it's instant, I've never had it where I'm waiting for the power to come on?
What I am interested in though is the sizing, I'm 5'09" and currently ride a size large, but have shortened the stem to 45mm.
By the sounds of it I should now be considering a medium in the 2019 model, does this sound about right for my height?

Taking time might not be the best description, but the cranks needs to move before power kicks in. I'll see if I find the time to put together a clip showing what I'm trying to say. But I guess I should wait for the latest software and tuning options, I've probably already focused too much on a motor that isn't up to production level. I did it because it reminded me of the 1.3 and assume this is how Specilized does it.

As for size, you might get the L to fit, but M should be correct.

 

[knut7]

Thanks for your review.
Similarly to other reviews I've read, you say "As with the 1.3 it's important to keep the pedals moving when going up difficult climbs, if you stop pedal to regain balance or alter the position on the bike , the motor will disengage and it will be a hard task to get it going again. The pedals needs a bit of motion before the motor kicks in, and in some situations the hill is so steep that it's hard to move the pedals at all."

Do you have any experience with the Shimano E-8000?
Some say that motor starts more easily on hills, and doesn't disengage so quickly when on a hill you have to stop pedaling for a moment.

I sure have. @Gary already gave a good answer. I'm not ready to give my final view on the differences between these motors. I need to test them side by side, and I guess it's most relevant to do so with the 2.1. It will be a while before I can get my hands on it again.

I guess you've watched the video Gary linked to. Among other things, it shows how those motors kicks in. The E8000 does need some movement of the cranks before engaging. My impression is that the Brose 1.3 (and this preproduction 2.1) needs more movement, sort of like the Performance CX. It seems these motors aren't using the torque sensor for activating. When just sitting on a bike with a motor that activates by torque, you can experience that the bike starts going just by resting your foot on the pedal. Which can have an undesireable effect. The Rocky Mountain Powerplay activates with torque, and I believe the Yamaha PW-X does too. That's great for starting mid hill. So there are pros and cons.

Hmm is this Levo thread derailing too?

 

[Dusty]

@Rob Hancill was there a reason you went for the carbon comp or simply cost ?

 

[rmh1009]

I sure have. @Gary already gave a good answer. I'm not ready to give my final view on the differences between these motors. I need to test them side by side, and I guess it's most relevant to do so with the 2.1. It will be a while before I can get my hands on it again.

I guess you've watched the video Gary linked to. Among other things, it shows how those motors kicks in. The E8000 does need some movement of the cranks before engaging. My impression is that the Brose 1.3 (and this preproduction 2.1) needs more movement, sort of like the Performance CX. It seems these motors aren't using the torque sensor for activating. When just sitting on a bike with a motor that activates by torque, you can experience that the bike starts going just by resting your foot on the pedal. Which can have an undesireable effect. The Rocky Mountain Powerplay activates with torque, and I believe the Yamaha PW-X does too. That's great for starting mid hill. So there are pros and cons.

Hmm is this Levo thread derailing too?

Good balanced review mate. A lot on here imply that anything other than a Brose motor is completely inferior (Shimano motor called “the wrong motor” in one thread). Surely good and bad with them all.

 

[galaga187]

I don't think so. I agree that you/we definitely used to be L. I Haven't tried the new L, but I think we now can use both. And I think the ridping position will be quite different between the two. I usually size down on emtbs so I was quite happy with the M.

Thanks that makes sense. I’ll get a demo ride before splashing the cash ?

 

[R120]

@Sophie777

Maybe you should check out the new Giants - they use the Yamah Motor, but with a custom giant tune, similar to how Specialised customise the Brose. They yamaha system has the best instant take up/shove of any of the current systems. The new 2019 bikes are cracking rides by all accounts and good value. Giant also have their women specific sub brand, Liv, which does the Intrigue E-MTB, which is the second picture attached.

Intrigue E+ (2019) - Liv Cycling | United Kingdom

More info in this thread:

Giant Trance SX E+ 0 Pro - EMTB Forums

 

[Adasb]

I

I was an L on a Levo and now have a 2019 L. It’s perfect

I am 6’2” and ride a large 2017 TL comp, and a large 2016 Enduro . Proportionally I have shorter legs and a longer torso.
To me the old levo felt smaller than my Enduro, and I had intended to go up to XL with the 2019, but with the different levo geometry, I’m wondering if I should stick to large again with the new s-works?

Can anyone comment how the new Large Levo compares to the old one WRT sizing?

Cheers

 

[bigborett]

Bigborett, If you can Please send a close up Pic, Thanks

Here you go, it wasn't the most expert of jobs but it mostly covered the pink

 

[highpeakrider]

Sophie777

Maybe look at the Focus, love mine on technical hills, having a back injury I also didn’t want a heavy battery on my back, here’s mine with the TEC pack added.
Plus it’s a really slim motor.